The Top 7 Rwandan Love Songs
As the fete love, adoration and tenderness is approaching we thought to take a look into Rwanda’s top 7 Love Songs of all time. You got to understand Rwandan music, as most music from the Motherland is often set in the tone of pouring affection out to a conquered heart or to a potential life long flame. Despite this list not being straightforward to construct, most will definitely agree and cherish this list.
Andy Bumuntu – KK 509 St.
Here is Andy Bumuntu who has gradually gained prominence following the single “On Fire”.This artist genre is best described as Afro-soul and blues, with his soft-spoken ambience, and known for his captivating stage presence. A fusion of Kinyarwanda, French and English here, “KK 509 St” is based on a true love story. This passion can be felt in those sword striking vocals, with that Afro Kizomba motion liberating our soul, to the possibilities of rising in love at any given time, perhaps pertaining to a certain street location as “KK 509 ST”.
Bruce Melodie – Katerina
The one two-step has us gliding into a fluid flow of movement, embracing our sensuality. Visualising yourself with your sweet lover ignites that fire within us to call our own “Katerina”. The visuals that dropped last September already has 8 million views, & over 400,000 streams on Spotify alone. Visuals for this were taken in France, a stone throw away from the city of love, Paris ooh la la.
The Ben – Habibi
The Ben is offten referred to as one of the top Rwandan artists, alongside his peer Meddy. “Habibi” had us all in emotional tears, he describes his affection for his “Habibi”. A term borrowed from the Arab language, meaning darling. The refrain consists of his plea “every time njye (mpora ndi ready) Kuguha icy’ushaka(kuguhi icyushaka Mamy ooooh), stating The English translation is as follows, “Every time I am ready to give you all that you want”. In the visuals he is found following his lover throughout her day, also which may seem a bit confusing to some, when he is seen ensuing an altercation (having a stranger spill a drink on his lover) before making his proposal to her at the end of the evening.
Amalon – Byakubaho
Amalon is one of the promising artists in the industry with strong yet smooth vocal abilities, who has managed to grow a huge fan base, through his songs like “Byakubaho” despite being in the music arena for a few years. Under 1k entertainment Amalon has produced hit songs “Yambi” “Nigrente” “Impanga” and more. The sole artist (outshining his peers) to open up for the African Giant himself, Burna Boy in 2019, during the Burna Boy Experience in Kigali at the Intare Conference Arena.
Yvan Buravan – Oya
Truly sensational seductive vibrations, accompanied by the soul-warming lyrics that tingle our eardrums. Buravan has multiple love songs like this, in which you feel the notes carrying forth the message of his most inner loving desire, such as “Garagaza” in which his father gets a feature. “Si Belle”, “Malaika” for the romantic hero embedded in us. Click here to experience the full visuals and meaning with its subtitles in English follow the link to the direct subtitled video: https://youtu.be/ox5l4mYlUaM
Meddy – Ntawamusimbura
Here we have Meddy, often called Rwanda’s Sweetheart. With a status like that, you can imagine the vast collection of intoxicating compositions he cast as spells, disguised as song text. His artistry is truly magnificent. “Slowly” has reached over 43 Million, with the Zouk feel in which he predominantly sings in English. Titles such as “Nasara” “I’d go crazy”, “Burinde Bucya” meaning “Avoiding Dawn” amongst the most played is also “Holy Spirit”, in which he takes it back to church.
Butera Knowless – Ko nashize
When you think of female artists, Butera Knowless is the first that comes to mind. “Ko nashize” literally translates “I’m finished “. She describes the love that she has for a guy. Due to certain constraints such as Rwandan cultural customs, she is unable to make the first move, not wanting to become the talk of the hill (land of a thousand hills). Literally pouring her emotions out to the wind, to send forth her message to her loved one. “Muyaga uhuha ujya iwabo
Waretse nkagutuma. Ukamubwira ko mukunda,
Ko nashize,” “Their wind, let me send you and tell him that I love him. I am out of my depth.” The visuals are simply breath-taking as it’s set with rich natural colours with a waterfall serving as a backdrop. If you’d like to experience the full visuals and meaning with its subtitles in English follow the link here: https://youtu.be/xOVh2iu4zo8
That sums the top 7 Rwandan love songs up. Hold on, there are 3 honour mentions, that predates our generation but we are familiar with as our Rwandan Parents often played these using the Cassette players/ Tape recorder. Who remembers the satisfaction of fast-forwarding and switching to side B to hear your favourite song, I digress.
“Nakunze Benshi” by Karahanyuze, translates to “I loved many” simply he is reassuring his loved one that he only trusts and truly loves her, as she surpasses all of the many. The other two consists of “Kugasozi Keza ka Rusororo”, which states “on the beautiful hill of Rusororo” were one saw the most beautiful girl, more beautiful than the hill itself. We are unable to close off without a francophone feature “Qu’as-tu fait de ma vie” by Orchestre Impala, infamous Rwanda Orchestra at the time, making use of traditional instruments.
Lastly, stay up to date with all you need to know about African music at SOA, right here.
Idole thrives on inspiring and motivating those around her, repurposing the best within themselves.
She strongly believes it is essential to leave people in a better position than first encountered. She has a keen interest in mindful studies, meta-physics ranging forms Mediation, Crystal, and Energy Healing to Self-development… hence she is a qualified Lifestyle and Spiritual Coach.
With a keen interest in music and the entertainment scene, she is the Radio Presenter of the weekly “Outspoken Truths” Radio show which dwells into an array of topics from Music, to Women empowerment, celebrating ancient African Cultures and Spiritual Practises. Founder of Rwanda Hub on Clubhouse she is always searching for means to connect Rwandan’s together, showcasing her Rwandan heritage and promoting the vast pool of talents and treasures the land of a thousand hills has to offer. Connect with her via Clubhouse follow 🇷🇼 Rwanda Hub, or alternatively on IG/Clubhouse @be.idole
The Top 7 Rwandan Love Songs
